Russia destroy Saudi Arabia in the opening game of the World Cup

during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Group A match between Russia and Saudi Arabia at Luzhniki Stadium on June 14, 2018 in Moscow, Russia.

With four goals from Yuri Gazinskiy, Denis Cheryshev, Artem Dzyuba and Aleksandr Golovin Russia slam Saudi Arabia 5-0 to claim the first win in Group A.

The Russian national team dominated the play in the first half allowing Saudi Arabia only three touches inside their box and their first goal came after Gazinskiy connected with an Golovin pinpoint cross to give Russia the lead.

Alan Dzagoev got injured and was replaced by Cheryshev who fired the second goal of the game, after Golovin ran his socks to get the ball before the Saudi defense and passed it to Roman Zobnin who assisted Cheryshev, as the Villarreal winger shattered the backline of the Green Falcons to double the scoreline.

In the second half, Mohammed Al Sahlawi had a crucial chance from a Mohammed Al-Burayk cross yet his efforts went wide. Before substitute Artem Dzyuba connected with another perfect cross from Golovin to make it 3-0 for the hosts.

Cheryshev added another with an epic left footed strike from the edge of the box, before Golovin assured he is man of the match with a brilliant free-kick to end the game 5-0.

London School for Journalism student.
KingFut community manager, Saba7o Korah editorial team, Writing for Football Italia and I have featured for FourFourTwo, These Football Times and The Gentleman Ultra.

3 Comments

3 Comments

Hosam

June 14, 2018 at 7:37 PM

Saudi Arabia is such a weak side.. What a disgrace. Not world cup worthy at all.

Egypt needs a draw against Uruguay to keep a chance to survive to the second round. Russia has too many goals right now which means that they can qualify easily on goal difference. So we need to win against Russia and not lose any game to be able to qualify.

Why the heck is Uruguay made out to be such an unsurmountable über-team? Because they had a lucky run 8 years ago? Because they have won world cups many decades ago? Yes, they are in good form, but far from being scary. Of course Egypt should win against the extremely weak Saudis. But there are still many possible constellations. Egypt could win against Uruguay and not go through. They could lose in still make the cut. There are multiple combinations with teams drawing each other. Most people think in a simple ABCD pattern. Football doesn’t work like that.
My bet from before the tournament has started: Egypt and Russia go through. And I’ve yet to meet a better better than me. 😉

Well I don’t think Uruguay is easy to beat for Egypt or any team in this tournament. Uruguay has a solid defense with Godin and Gimenez and a golden striker duo: Suarez and Cavani. I expect them to score goals from our weak point which is cross balls. Of course I hope Egypt would win the three games but we have to be realistic. If you have seen the game against Belgium we did not cause any trouble to their defense. Our attack is terrible.. Still hope for the best and a wonder to get the three points from Uruguay.